French Polynesia

Home to Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea and so much more, French Polynesia is a collection of islands scattered across the South Pacific, where volcanic peaks, turquoise lagoons and palm-fringed motus come together to create one of the most beautiful places on earth.

The rhythm here is slow, warm and deeply tied to the ocean. Days drift between quiet beaches, reef-lined lagoons and sunsets that seem almost too perfect to be real.

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• History and Culture

  French Polynesia has a rich and deeply rooted Polynesian culture. Long before European arrival, skilled navigators crossed vast stretches of the Pacific using the stars, currents and winds to move between islands. Their traditions still shape life across the islands today.

  The islands later came under French influence, and French Polynesia remains an overseas collectivity of France. You’ll notice this blend of Polynesian and French culture in the language, food, architecture and easygoing pace of daily life.

  To learn more about local culture, spend time in Tahiti’s markets, visit sacred marae sites on Raiatea, or experience traditional dance and music, especially during the Heiva festival. It’s not all polished resort life here — the real magic is often found in the smaller villages, family-run pensions and everyday island rhythms.

  A visit to French Polynesia can feel wonderfully far removed from the rest of the world. There’s a sense of space, warmth and calm that makes it feel less like a holiday destination and more like somewhere you slowly sink into.

• Unbelievable beaches

  French Polynesia is blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches and lagoons in the world. Bora Bora is the postcard name, with its pale sand motus and impossibly blue lagoon, but it’s far from the only place worth your time.

  We really like the beaches and lagoons around Moorea, Taha’a, Bora Bora and the Tuamotu Islands. Spend a few hours swimming, snorkelling or simply doing very little at all. The water is warm, clear and often full of colourful reef fish just metres from the shore.

  For something more remote, the Tuamotus offer a wilder, less developed side of French Polynesia. Islands like Rangiroa and Fakarava are especially good for diving, with coral passes, sharks, manta rays and some of the best underwater scenery in the South Pacific.

• Nature and wildlife

  French Polynesia is blessed with an abundance of marine life. The lagoons are home to rays, reef sharks, turtles and tropical fish, while humpback whales migrate through the islands between around July and November.

  To get close to nature, head to Moorea for dramatic green peaks, pineapple fields and lagoon views, or explore the wilder interiors of Tahiti and Raiatea. You’ll find waterfalls, forested valleys and hiking trails that reveal a very different side to the islands.

  For serious divers, the Tuamotus are the real prize. Rangiroa and Fakarava are known for their passes, where incoming tides bring astonishing concentrations of marine life. It’s a very different experience from simply staying beside a pretty lagoon.

• Food and drink

  French Polynesian food blends local island ingredients with French influence. Fresh fish, coconut, lime, vanilla, breadfruit and tropical fruit all play a big role, with poisson cru — raw tuna marinated in lime and coconut milk — being the classic dish to try.

  There’s a relaxed, informal food scene too. In Papeete, the roulottes food trucks are a great way to try local favourites, from grilled fish and chow mein to crêpes and steak frites. It’s casual, atmospheric and much more interesting than staying inside the resort every night.

  On the islands, food often follows the rhythm of the sea. Expect freshly caught fish, simple beachside lunches, French pastries in the morning and long, slow dinners overlooking the lagoon.

• Adventure and experiences

  A visit to French Polynesia is a wonderful opportunity to slow down, switch off and get properly close to the ocean. It’s the perfect place for island hopping, snorkelling, diving and spending lazy days on some of the most beautiful beaches you’ve ever seen.

  But there’s also far more to do than simply lie on the sand. You can hike through Moorea’s valleys, explore Tahiti’s waterfalls, take a 4×4 into the island interiors, visit vanilla plantations on Taha’a or head out by boat to quiet motus for a private lagoon picnic.

  There’s undeniably a more luxurious side too. If you’re staying in one of the top resorts, you can indulge in almost every whim. Between the overwater villas, spas, private beaches and lagoon adventures, it’s hard to know where to begin.